Recording apparatus and transporting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A recording apparatus in which a recording unit performs recording with respect to a medium which is wound in a roll shape, the apparatus including a medium support unit which rotatably supports the medium; a transport unit which transports the medium in a path while pulling out the medium which is supported; and a terminal end detection unit which detects a terminal end of the medium. The transport unit transports the medium to an outlet side to which the medium, which is recorded, is discharged, when the terminal end is detected, and a length of the medium is equal to or larger than a predetermined value. On the other hand, the transport unit transports the medium to the medium support unit side, when the terminal end is detected, and the length of the medium is less than the predetermined value.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and atransporting apparatus which use a medium which is wound in a rollshape.

2. Related Art

In the related art, an apparatus using a medium which is wound in a rollshape is known. In such an apparatus, the medium which is supported bybeing wound in the roll shape is used by being transported so as to bepulled out. In addition, the transported medium is discharged to theoutside of the apparatus.

In addition, when the medium is used up to the vicinity of a terminalend, it is necessary to change the medium to a new medium. For thisreason, an apparatus is disclosed in which roll sheet is cut using acutter which is arranged in the vicinity of a position at which the rollsheet is supported when a roll end (terminal end) of the roll sheet isdetected. In addition, the apparatus determines whether to transport theroll sheet, or to make the roll sheet stay at a position after cutting,according to the length of the roll sheet after the cutting (forexample, refer to JP-A-2012-218308).

When the medium stays in a path in a state of being cut, there is a casein which it is not possible to take the cut medium out due to astructure of the apparatus. For example, there is a case in which, whenthe path of the medium is located at a deep position in the apparatus,it is necessary to remove the medium which stays in the path from thepath at the deep position, and a worker is forced to perform hard work.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a recordingapparatus and a transporting apparatus in which an exchange of a mediumcan be performed without forcing a worker to perform hard work, when amedium which is supported by being wound in a roll shape is exchanged.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a recordingapparatus in which a recording unit performs recording with respect to amedium for recording which is wound in a roll shape, the apparatusincluding a medium support unit which rotatably supports the medium forrecording; a transport unit which transports the medium for recordingwhile pulling out the medium for recording which is supported; and aterminal end detection unit which detects a terminal end of the mediumfor recording, in which the transport unit transports the medium forrecording to an outlet side to which the medium for recording, which isrecorded upon, is discharged, when the terminal end is detected, and alength of the medium for recording is equal to or larger than apredetermined value, and transports the medium for recording to themedium support unit side, when the terminal end is detected, and thelength of the medium for recording is less than the predetermined value.

In the invention which is configured in this manner, the transport unittransports the medium for recording which is rotatably supported by themedium support unit into a path while pulling out the medium. Inaddition, when the terminal end of the medium for recording which istransported is detected by the terminal end detection unit, thetransport unit transports the medium for recording to the outlet sidewhen the length of the medium for recording is equal to or larger thanthe predetermined value. On the other hand, when the terminal end of themedium for recording is detected, and the length of the medium forrecording is less than the predetermined value, the transport unittransports the medium for recording to the medium support unit side.

For this reason, when exchanging the medium for recording which is usedup to the terminal end, the medium for recording is discharged from theoutlet when the length of remains of the medium for recording is long.On the other hand, when the remains of the medium for recording isshort, it is possible to allow the medium for recording to be easilytaken out by transporting the medium for recording to the medium supportunit side. As a result, it is possible to reduce a work load whenexchanging the medium for recording.

Here, the medium for recording may be any medium on which a recordingmedium such as ink can be recorded.

In addition, a recording unit may be any type of a unit which canperform recording with respect to a medium for recording, and is wellknown.

In the apparatus, a shielding unit may be located between the mediumsupport unit and the transport unit on a path of the medium forrecording, and the medium for recording may be transported to thetransport unit while passing through an insertion opening which isformed in the shielding unit.

With such a configuration, it is possible to return the medium forrecording to the medium support unit side through the insertion opening,and to reduce the work load when exchanging the medium for recording,even when the transport unit is shielded.

In the apparatus, a cutting unit which is located on a downstream sideof the medium support unit on the path of the medium for recording, andcuts the medium for recording may be further included, and the cuttingunit may cut the medium for recording when the terminal end is notdetected, and may not cut the medium for recording when the terminal endis detected.

With such a configuration, when the terminal end of the medium forrecording is detected, the medium for recording is transported in anyone of directions without being cut. As a result, it is possible toreliably cut the medium for recording without causing the medium forrecording to remain in the path.

The apparatus may further include a transport amount obtaining unitwhich obtains a transport amount of the medium for recording, and alength of the medium for recording may be determined based on atransport amount of the transport unit from discharging of a portion ofthe medium for recording on which the recording is performed todetecting of the terminal end.

With such a configuration, it is possible to determine the length of themedium for recording based on the transport amount of the transportunit.

In the apparatus, the medium support unit may further include a firstmedium support unit and a second medium support unit, and the transportunit may transport either a medium for recording which is supported bythe first medium support unit, or a medium for recording which issupported by the second medium support unit.

With such a configuration, it is possible to execute a large amount ofjobs at once, since it is possible to use a plurality of media to berecorded upon.

In the apparatus, when detecting the terminal end of the medium forrecording which is supported by the first medium support unit, thetransport unit may switch to transport of the medium for recording whichis supported by the second medium support unit.

With such a configuration, even when a terminal end of a medium forrecording on one side is detected, it is possible for a worker tocontinue recording without taking out the medium for recording, since amedium for recording on the other side is transported.

In the apparatus, the predetermined value may be set according to thelength of a path on which the medium for recording which is supported bythe medium support unit.

With such as configuration, since the predetermined value can be setaccording to the length of the path, it is possible to design anarrangement position of the medium support unit more flexibly.

In addition, the invention can be applied to a transporting apparatuswhich transports a medium for recording.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are side views which exemplify main portions of arecording apparatus in order to describe examples of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view which illustrates an appearance of a largeink jet printer as an example of a recording apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view which illustrates the recordingapparatus of which a stacker is omitted.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram which describes a configuration of therecording apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart which describes a flow of a recording process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart which illustrates a process which is executed instep S6 in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams which describe a configuration forswitching a transporting direction of roll sheet.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described in thefollowing order.

1. First Embodiment 2. Second Embodiment

3. Other embodiments

1. First Embodiment

FIGS. 1A and 1B are side views which exemplify main portions of arecording apparatus in order to describe examples of the technology. Inaddition, FIG. 2 is a perspective view which illustrates an appearanceof a large ink jet printer as an example of the recording apparatus. Inaddition, FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view which illustrates therecording apparatus of which a stacker 19 is omitted. Further, FIG. 4 isa block diagram which describes a configuration of the recordingapparatus.

According to the first embodiment, the recording apparatus is realizedas an ink jet printer which performs recording with respect to rollsheets (medium for recording, medium to be transported) R1 and R2.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a recording apparatus 1 includes a housing 10,and a feeding unit 50 which is provided in a slidable manner in thesliding direction D1 with respect to the housing 10. In addition, therecording apparatus 1 can perform printing (perform recording) byperforming switching between the roll sheet R1 located at a deepposition on the upper part of the apparatus and the roll sheet R2located on the lower part of the apparatus. In addition, it is possibleto discharge the roll sheets R1 and R2 from an outlet 17 (R4 illustratedin FIG. 3).

In the above described figure, a mark D1 denotes a sliding direction ofthe feeding unit 50 with respect to the housing 10. A mark D2 denotes awithdrawing direction which goes toward a withdrawing position from anaccommodating position L1 of the feeding unit 50. A mark D3 denotes anaccommodating direction which goes toward the accommodating position L1from the withdrawing position of the feeding unit 50.

The roll sheet is a continuous sheet in which the sheet is wound in aroll shape. The outer sides of the roll sheets R1 and R2 are set torecording surfaces. As a matter of course, when changing positions offeeding mechanisms 21 and 51, it is also possible to use a roll sheet ofwhich the inside is set to a recording surface. As the roll sheet, it ispossible to use a wound sheet of various materials such as paper, cloth,a plastic sheet, or leather.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3, or the like, the housing 10includes a recording unit 12, a pair of transport rollers (transportunit) 15 and 16, a cutter (cutting unit) 18, paths 11, 20, and 30,feeding mechanisms (21 to 26), feeding mechanisms (51 to 57), and acontrol unit 60 therein.

A transport path 11, a first feeding path 20, and a second feeding path30 are included in a path on which the roll sheet R1 or the roll sheetR2 is fed and transported. The transport path 11 is a path on whichrecording with respect to the roll sheet R1 (R2) is performed. Inaddition, the first feeding path 20 is a path on which the roll sheet R1is fed with respect to the pair of transport rollers 15 and 16. Inaddition, the second feeding path 30 is a path on which the roll sheetR2 is fed with respect to the pair of transport rollers 15 and 16.

In addition, a definition of each path 11, 20, or 30, and a positionalrelationship thereof are not limited to this. For example, a part of thetransport path 11 and a part of the first feeding path 20 or the secondfeeding path 30 may overlap. In addition, a different path may be formedbetween each of paths.

On the transport path 11, the pair of transport rollers 15 and 16, andthe recording unit 12 are arranged.

The pair of transport rollers 15 and 16 includes a driving roller 15which is arranged on the downstream side, and a driven roller 16 whichis arranged on the upstream side. The driving roller 15 rotates due to atransport motor 71 which will be described later. In addition, thedriven roller 16 is rotatably supported, and a medium for recording isinterposed between the driving roller 15 and the driven roller 16. Forthis reason, the driven roller 16 rotates following the roll sheets R1and R2 which are transported due to rotating of the driving roller 15.

The recording unit 12 is arranged on the downstream side of the pair oftransport rollers 15 and 16 in the transport path 11. The recording unit12 includes a recording head 13, and a platen 14 which supports the rollsheets R1 and R2 which are transported from below. According to theembodiment, the recording apparatus 1 is described as a serial printerwhich moves the recording unit 12 in a direction crossing a direction inwhich the roll sheets R1 and R2 are transported by a carriage which isnot shown. However, the recording apparatus 1 may be a line headprinter.

The first feeding path 20 is provided with a feeding mechanism (firstmedium support unit) 21 which supports the roll sheet R1, a pair offeeding rollers 22 and 23, kolo rollers 24 and 25, a terminal enddetection sensor 26, and the like.

The feeding mechanism 21 rotatably supports the roll sheet R1 using aroll shaft. According to the embodiment, the feeding mechanism 21 doesnot have power for rotating the roll sheet R1, however, the feedingmechanism 21 may be a mechanism which has power for rotating the rollsheet R1.

The pair of feeding rollers 22 and 23 includes a driving roller 22 whichis arranged on the lower side, and a driven roller 23 which is arrangedon the upper side by interposing the roll sheet R1 which is fed on thefirst feeding path 20 therebetween. The driving roller 22 rotates due toa rotation of a feeding motor 72 which will be described later, andfeeds the roll sheet R1. In addition, the driven roller 23 rotates byfollowing the roll sheet R1 which is fed according to a rotation of thedriving roller 22 while interposing the roll sheet R1 between the rollerand the driving roller 22.

The kolo rollers 24 and 25 are rotatably supported on a wall of thefirst feeding path 20, and slightly protrude into the path from theinside of the wall.

The terminal end detection sensor 26 is arranged on the downstream sideof the pair of feeding rollers 22 and 23 on the first feeding path 20.The terminal end detection sensor 26 detects a roll end (terminal end)of the roll sheet R2. In addition, a determination on whether or not theroll sheet R1 is being fed may be made by including a medium detectionsensor (not shown) in the first feeding path 20.

In addition, a feeding mechanism (second medium support unit) 51 whichsupports the roll sheet R2 is arranged in the feeding unit 50. Inaddition, a shielding unit 40 which isolates the second feeding path 30is formed between the feeding mechanism 51 and a pair of feeding rollers52 and 53 which will be described later, of the feeding unit 50. Forthis reason, even when pulling out the feeding unit 50 at a pulling outposition, the second feeding path 30 is shielded by the shielding unit40, and cannot be viewed. In addition, an insertion opening 41 forinserting a tip end of the roll sheet R2 which is pulled out is formedin the shielding unit 40. The insertion opening 41 is a rectangularopening corresponding to the width of the roll sheet.

In addition, the pair of feeding rollers 52 and 53, a terminal enddetection sensor 54, and kolo rollers 56 and 57 are located on thesecond feeding path 30.

The pair of feeding rollers 52 and 53 includes a driving roller 52 whichis arranged on the upper side, and a driven roller 53 which is arrangedon the lower side by interposing the roll sheet R2 which is fed on thesecond feeding path 30 therebetween. The driving roller 52 rotatesaccording to a rotation of a feeding motor 72 which will be describedlater.

In addition, the driven roller 53 rotates by following the roll sheet R2which is fed according to a rotation of the driving roller 52 whileinterposing the roll sheet R2 between the roller and the driving roller52.

In addition, the driving roller and the driven roller which configure apair of rollers may be arranged so as to be opposite to the abovedescribed positional relationship. In addition, the pair of rollers maybe configured of a pair of driving rollers using a driving rollerinstead of a driven roller.

The terminal end detection sensor 54 is arranged on the upstream side ofthe pair of feeding rollers 52 and 53 on the second feeding path 30. Theterminal end detection sensor 54 detects a roll end of the roll sheetR2. The terminal end detection sensors 26 and 54 which are located onthe first and second feeding paths 20 and 30 are configured using awell-known sensor such as an optical sensor, for example. In addition,whether or not the roll sheet R2 is being fed may be determined byproviding a medium detection sensor (not shown) on the second feedingpath 30.

The kolo rollers 56 and 57 are arranged on the downstream side of thepair of feeding rollers 52 and 53 on the second feeding path 30. Thekolo rollers 56 and 57 are rotatably supported on a wall of the secondfeeding path 30, and slightly protrude into the path from the inside ofthe wall.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the control unit 60 includes a CentralProcessing Unit (CPU) 61, a Read Only memory (ROM) 62, a Random AccessMemory (RAM) 63, a non-volatile memory 64, a head driving circuit 65,motor driving circuits 66, 67, and 68, and an I/OIF 69. In the ROM 62, acontrol program or data which is executed by the CPU 61 is recorded. TheCPU 61 integrally controls driving of the recording apparatus 1 byexecuting the control program or data which is recorded in the ROM 62while manipulating data thereof in the RAM 63.

In addition, job data which is used in a recording process is recordedin the non-volatile memory 64. For example, when receiving job data froman external device such as a personal computer (not shown), the controlunit 60 temporarily stores the job data in the non-volatile memory 64.

The head driving circuit 65 is electrically connected to the recordinghead 13, and drives the recording head 13 using a command from the CPU61. The recording head 13 is, for example, an ink jet recording headwhich ejects ink from nozzles. The recording head 13 ejects ink from thenozzles, and performs recording on the roll sheet R1 (R2) using adriving signal which is supplied from the head driving circuit 65.

The motor driving circuits 66 and 67 are respectively connected to thetransport motor 71 and the feeding motor 72, and drive each motor (71,72) using a command from the CPU 61. For this reason, each of the motordriving circuits 66 and 67 functions as a driver with respect to each ofthe motors 71 and 72.

The transport motor 71 is connected to a power transmission mechanism 73which transmits power to a driving roller 15 of a pair of transportrollers. For this reason, the driving roller 15 rotates when thetransport motor 71 is driven (rotated).

The feeding motor 72 is connected to a power transmission mechanism 76which transmits power to the driving roller 22 (52) of the pair offeeding rollers. For this reason, the driving rollers 22 and 52 rotatewhen the feeding motor 72 is driven (rotated).

In addition, the I/OIF 69 is connected to an encoder 71 a which isattached to the transport motor 71, an encoder 72 a which is attached tothe feeding motor 72, and the terminal end detection sensors 26 and 54.

The encoders 71 a and 72 a output the number of rotations of thetransport motor 71, or the feeding motor 72 by converting the number ofrotations into a pulse signal. The I/OIF 69 can receive outputs from theterminal end detection sensors 26 and 54, and the encoders 71 a and 72a, respectively, and output the outputs to the CPU 61.

Subsequently, a recording process which is executed by the recordingapparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart which describes aflow of the recording process. In addition, FIG. 6 is a flowchart whichillustrates a process which is executed in step S6 in FIG. 5. In thefollowing example, an example in which recording is performed withrespect to the roll sheet R2 is mainly described, however, when it isnecessary to describe a process relating to the roll sheet R1, thedescription will be made by illustrating an example in which recordingis performed with respect to the roll sheet R1.

When a command for executing a recording process is output to thecontrol unit 60 from a computer (not shown), or the like, the controlunit 60 starts transporting of the roll sheet R2 in step S1. For thisreason, the pair of feeding rollers 52 and 53 feed the roll sheet R2 tothe pair of transport rollers 15 and 16 while pulling out the roll sheetR2 which is supported by the feeding mechanism 51. In addition, the pairof transport rollers 15 and 16 transports the fed roll sheet R2 towardthe lower part of the recording head 13.

In addition, when a tip end of the roll sheet R2 arrives at the lowerpart of the recording head 13 by being transported by the pair oftransport rollers 15 and 16 (Yes in step S2), a recording process by therecording head 13 is performed in step S3.

As a method of detecting arriving of the tip end of the roll sheet R2 atthe pair of transport rollers 15 and 16 by the control unit 60, thecontrol unit 60 may determine the arriving based on a signal from theencoder 71 a which detects the number of rotations of the transportmotor 71. For example, the number of rotations N of the transport motor71 corresponding to an amount of transport of the roll sheet R2 (R1) isrecorded in the ROM 62. In addition, the CPU 61 performs counting untilthe number of rotations of the transport motor 71 reaches N based on anoutput of a pulse signal from the encoder 71 a.

In addition, a sensor for detecting the roll sheet R2 (R1) may beprovided on the downstream side of the pair of transport rollers 15 and16 on the transport path 11, in addition to this.

In addition, in the recording process, the pair of transport rollers 15and 16 transport the tip end of the roll sheet R2 to the upper part ofthe platen 14 while interposing the roll sheet R2 therebetween. Inaddition, the control unit 60 reciprocates the recording head 13 in themain scanning direction based on the job data which is recorded in thenon-volatile memory 64, and performs recording on the roll sheet R2using ink.

In step S4, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the roll endof the roll sheet R2 is detected. Specifically, the control unit 60determines whether or not the roll end is detected based on a change ina waveform of a signal which is output from the terminal end detectionsensor 54.

In addition, when the roll end of the roll sheet R2 is not detected (Noin step S4), the control unit 60 determines whether or not the recordingprocess is ended in step S5. Specifically, when recording of the lastraster data of a recording image which is included in the job data isnot ended (No in step S5), the control unit 60 returns to step S3, andcauses transporting of the roll sheet R2 using the pair of transportrollers 15 and 16, and recording on the roll sheet R2 using therecording head 13 to be continued.

In addition, when detecting that the control unit 60 ends the recordingwith respect to the roll sheet R2 (Yes in step S5) without detecting theroll end of the roll sheet R2 (No in step S4), the process proceeds tostep S7. In step S7, the control unit 60 stops transporting of the rollsheet R2. In addition, in step S8, the control unit 60 cuts the rollsheet R2 by driving the cutter 18. For that reason, the cut tip end ofthe roll sheet R2 is discharged due to its own weight, and isaccommodated in the stacker 19.

On the other hand, when the control unit 60 receives a signal ofdetecting the roll end of the roll sheet R2 from the terminal enddetection sensor 54 (Yes in step S4), the process proceeds to step S6,and processes including a termination process are performed with respectto the roll sheet R2. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in thetermination process, the transport direction of the roll sheet R2 (R1)is switched according to the length of the roll sheet R2 (R1) whichremains in the path.

In the following example, the roll sheet R2 (R1) will be described as aroll sheet which is not adhered to a roll shaft, or does not have theroll shaft. As a matter of course, the roll sheet R2 (R1) may adhere tothe roll shaft.

In step S61 in FIG. 6, the control unit 60 determines (obtains) thelength of the roll sheet R2 which remains in the path. As an example,the control unit 60 determines the length of the roll sheet R2 accordingto a transport amount of the pair of transport rollers 15 and 16 (thenumber of rotations N1 and N2) until the roll end Re is detected aftercutting the roll sheet R2 using the cutter 18 at the previous time.Here, the number of rotations N2 denotes the number of rotations of thepair of transport rollers 15 and 16 when transporting the roll sheet R2.In addition, the number of rotations N1 denotes the number of rotationsof the pair of transport rollers 15 and 16 when transporting the rollsheet R1. Due to the process in step S61, the transport amount obtainingunit of the invention is realized.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams which describe a configuration forswitching the transport direction of the roll sheet. Here, FIG. 7A is aschematic diagram which illustrates a positional relationship among aposition C1 of the cutter 18, a nipping position P1 of the pair oftransport rollers 15 and 16, and a detection position De of the terminalend detection sensors 26 and 54. In addition, the length PCL denotes thecut length of the roll sheet R1 (R2). In addition, the length of theroll sheet R1 (R2) which is located on the downstream side from thenipping position P1 of the pair of transport rollers 15 and 16 is set toLfm (hereinafter, referred to as tip end side length Lfm), and thelength on the upstream side from the nipping position P2 is set to Lbm(hereinafter, referred to as distal end side length Lbm). In addition, mis an identifier which denotes any one of the roll sheets R1 and R2, anddenotes any one value of 1 and 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 7A, since respective distances of the position C1in the path, the nipping position P1, and the detection position De arefixed, transporting of the roll sheet R1 (R2) is performed whilemaintaining a positional relationship thereof. For that reason, thetransport amount Lrm is transported in the m+2th transport of the pairof transport rollers 15 and 16. In addition, when the detection positionDe reaches the roll end Re of the roll sheet R2, the position C1 doesnot reach the cut length PCL, and the roll sheet R1 (R2) correspondingto the length Lpm from the tip end of the roll sheet R2 after being cutin the previous transport (m+1th) to the roll end Re of the roll sheetR2 remains on the path (that is, length in which tip end side length Lfmand distal end side length Lbm are added together).

In addition, FIG. 7B is a graph which illustrates a relationship betweenthe number of rotations N and the transport amount, the horizontal axisdenoting the number of rotations N, and the vertical axis denotingcircumference 2ΠR of the pair of transport rollers 15 and 16. Since thepair of transport rollers 15 and 16 rotates at a constant speed ω, thetransport amount Lrm of the roll sheet R2 (R1) until detecting the rollend after cutting at the previous time (m+1th) can be obtained as avalue in which the circumference 2ΠR is multiplied by a differencebetween the number of rotations Nc at the time of performing theprevious cut and the number of rotations Nde at the time of detectingthe roll end Re (area denoted by slant line in FIG. 7B). For thatreason, the tip end side length Lfm becomes the length in which a fixedvalue from the position C1 to the nipping position P1 is added to thetransport amount Lrm of the roll sheet R2 (R1).

When the transported roll sheet is R2 in step S62 in FIG. 6 (No in stepS62), the control unit 60 proceeds to step S66. In addition, in stepS66, the control unit 60 compares the length of the roll sheet R2 whichis determined in step S61 to a threshold value T2. In the firstembodiment, the threshold value T2 is a value corresponding to thelength of the roll sheet R2. More specifically, the value is a valuecorresponding to the transport amount Lrm of the pair of transportrollers 15 and 16. In addition, a threshold value T1 which will bedescribed later is a value corresponding to the length of the roll sheetR1.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, when the length Lp2 of the roll sheet R2after detecting the roll end is equal to or greater than the length RLof the path from the nipping position P1 to the outlet 17, it ispossible to make the tip end of the roll sheet R2 be exposed from theoutlet 17 due to transporting of the pair of transport rollers 15 and16. For that reason, a user can take the roll sheet R2 out from theoutlet 17. As a matter of course, when the length of the roll sheet R2which comes out from the outlet 17 becomes longer, the roll sheet R2falls due to its own weight, and is accommodated in the stacker 19.

On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, when the length Lp2 of theroll sheet R2 after detecting the roll end is equal to or smaller thanthe length RL, the tip end of the roll sheet R2 is not exposed from theoutlet 17 even when the roll sheet R2 is transported using the pair oftransport rollers 15 and 16. For that reason, a user cannot take theroll sheet R2 out from the outlet 17.

For that reason, according to the first embodiment, the threshold valueT2 is set to a value corresponding to the transport amount Lr2 which isa variation component of the length of the roll sheet R2. As a matter ofcourse, setting the threshold value T2 (T1) to the transport amount Lrmis merely an example, and the value may be a value based on the lengthof the roll sheet R2 (R1).

In addition, when determining each threshold value T2 (T1) using thetransport amount Lrm, a different value is set according to the lengthof the transport path. As illustrated in FIG. 7A, the length Lpm of theroll sheet R1 (R2) is a sum of the tip end side length Lfm and thedistal end side length Lbm, and in the same length Lpm, when the distalend side length Lbm is long, the tip end side length Lfm becomes short.In addition, since the length Lbm is a fixed value from the terminal enddetection sensor 26 (54) to the nipping position P1, the value becomes avalue corresponding to the path length of the first feeding path 20 andthe second feeding path 30.

According to the first embodiment, the path length of the second feedingpath 30 is longer than the path length of the first feeding path 20, andthe distal end side length Lpb2 of the roll sheet R2 is longer than thedistal end side length Lpb1 of the roll sheet R1. As a result, atransport amount Lr2 (threshold value T2) which is a variation componentof the tip end side length Lpf2 of the roll sheet R2 can at least exposethe tip end of the roll sheet R2 from the outlet 17 due to transporting,compared to a transport amount Lr1 (threshold value T1) which is avariation component of the tip end side length Lpf1 of the roll sheetR1.

When a transport amount Lr2 of the roll sheet R2 which is determined instep S61 is equal to or greater than the threshold value T2 (Yes in stepS66), the control unit 60 causes the pair of transport rollers 15 and 16to rotate, and transports the roll sheet R1 to the outlet 17 in stepS67. At this time, the recording head 13 may perform recording withrespect to the roll sheet R2.

In addition, when the transport amount Lr2 of the roll sheet R2 is lessthan the threshold value T2 (No in step S66), the control unit 60 causesthe pair of transport rollers 15 and 16 to rotate in the oppositedirection, and returns the roll sheet R1 to the feeding mechanism 51side in step S68. For that reason, the recording head 13 does notperform recording with respect to the roll sheet R2, and the roll sheetR2 is transmitted to the feeding mechanism 51 side.

For that reason, the roll end Re of the roll sheet R2 is pushed to thefeeding unit 50 side through the insertion opening 41. As describedabove, the second feeding path 30 is shielded by the shielding unit 40for safety, and it is not possible to put a hand inside from the feedingunit 50 side. For that reason, when the distal end side of the rollsheet R2 is pushed to the feeding unit 50 side through the insertionopening 41, a user can take the roll sheet R2 out when exchanging theroll sheet R2. For that reason, even when the transport path isshielded, it is possible to take the roll sheet out through theinsertion opening 41, and to reduce a work load when exchanging the rollsheet (R1 and R2).

At this time, since the roll sheet R2 is transported to the feeding unit50 side without cutting the roll sheet R2 when the roll end of the rollsheet R2 is detected, it is possible to reliably remove the roll sheetR2 without a remaining cut end of the roll sheet R2 being in the path.

In addition, when the transported roll sheet is R1 (Yes in step S62),and in step S63, when the transport amount Lr1 of the roll sheet R1which is determined in step S61 is equal to or greater than thethreshold value T1 (Yes in step S63), the control unit 60 transmits theroll sheet R1 to the outlet 17 side by rotating the pair of transportrollers 15 and 16 in step S64.

On the other hand, when the length of the roll sheet R1 which isdetermined in step S61 is less than the threshold value T1 (No in stepS63), the control unit 60 returns the roll sheet R1 to the feedingmechanism 21 side by rotating the pair of transport rollers 15 and 16 inthe opposite direction in step S65.

In addition, in step S69, the control unit 60 exchanges the roll sheet.When the recording apparatus 1 uses the roll sheet R2, the control unit60 stops transporting of the roll sheet R2 of which the roll end isdetected. In addition, the roll sheet R1 is supplied to the pair oftransport rollers 15 and 16 by driving the pair of feeding rollers 22and 23. As a result, recording on the roll sheet R1 is started. For thatreason, it is possible for the recording apparatus 1 to use a pluralityof roll sheets (R1 and R2), and to execute a large amount of jobs. Inaddition, when a roll end of a supported roll sheet (R1 and R2) isdetected, since it is possible to switch to the subsequent roll sheetand use the sheet, it is possible for a worker to continue recordingwithout taking the roll sheet out.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, in a case ofexchanging a roll sheet which is used up to a roll end, when the lengthof the roll sheet which remains in the path is long, the roll sheet isdischarged as is from the outlet.

In addition, when the length of a roll sheet which remains in the pathis long, it is possible to perform printing to the vicinity of aterminal end of the roll sheet by discharging the roll sheet to theoutlet side, and to reduce waste of a roll sheet.

On the other hand, when the length of a roll sheet which remains in thepath is short, it is possible to allow the roll sheet to be easily takenout by transporting the sheet to the medium support unit side. As aresult, it is possible to reduce a work load when exchanging the rollsheet.

In addition, since the threshold value can be set according to the pathlength, it is possible to flexibly design an arrangement position of thefeeding mechanism.

2. Second Embodiment

The recording apparatus 1 may be an apparatus which uses only one rollsheet, in addition to an apparatus in which using of roll sheets R1 andR2 can be switched between, as in the first embodiment.

3. Other Embodiments

In addition, various modification examples can be taken intoconsideration in the invention.

For example, a medium for recording which can be applied to theinvention may be a folded continuous sheet, in addition to a roll sheet.

In addition, the recording apparatus 1 uses the cutter 18 as an example,and the cutter 18 may not be used.

In addition, a configuration in which each configuration disclosed inthe above described embodiment and the modification example is mutuallysubstituted, or a combination is changed, a configuration in which eachconfiguration disclosed in a well-known technology, the above describedembodiment and the modification example is mutually substituted, or acombination is changed, or the like, also can be executed. The inventionalso includes these configurations.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-071610,filed Mar. 29, 2013 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A recording apparatus in which a recording unitperforms recording with respect to a medium for recording which is woundin a roll shape, the apparatus comprising: a medium support unit whichrotatably supports the medium for recording; a transport unit whichtransports the medium for recording while pulling out the medium forrecording which is supported; and a terminal end detection unit whichdetects a terminal end of the medium for recording, wherein thetransport unit transports the medium for recording to an outlet side towhich the medium for recording, which is recorded, is discharged, whenthe terminal end is detected, and a length of the medium for recordingis equal to or larger than a predetermined value, and wherein thetransport unit transports the medium for recording to the medium supportunit side, when the terminal end is detected, and the length of themedium for recording is less than the predetermined value.
 2. Therecording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a shielding unit whichshields a path on which the medium for recording is transported islocated between the medium support unit and the transport unit on thepath of the medium for recording, and wherein the medium for recordingis transported to the transport unit while passing through an openingwhich is formed in the shielding unit.
 3. The recording apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a cutting unit which islocated on a downstream side of the medium support unit on the path ofthe medium for recording, and cuts the medium for recording, wherein thecutting unit cuts the medium for recording when the terminal end is notdetected, and wherein the cutting unit does not cut the medium forrecording when the terminal end is detected.
 4. The recording apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a transport amount obtainingunit which obtains a transport amount of the medium for recording,wherein the length of the medium for recording is determined based on atransport amount of the transport unit from discharging of a portion ofthe medium for recording on which the recording is performed todetecting of the terminal end.
 5. The recording apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising: a first medium support unit and a secondmedium support unit, wherein the transport unit transports either amedium for recording which is supported by the first medium supportunit, or a medium for recording which is supported by the second mediumsupport unit.
 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein,when detecting the terminal end of the medium for recording which issupported by the first medium support unit, the transport unit switchesto transport of the medium for recording which is supported by thesecond medium support unit.
 7. The recording apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the predetermined value is set according to a length ofthe path on which the medium for recording which is supported by themedium support unit is transported.
 8. A transporting apparatus whichtransports a medium to be transported which is wound in a roll shapecomprising: a medium support unit which rotatably supports the medium tobe transported; a transport unit which transports the medium to betransported while pulling out the medium to be transported which issupported; and a terminal end detection unit which detects a terminalend of the medium to be transported, wherein the transport unittransports the medium to be transported to an outlet side, when theterminal end is detected, and a length of the medium to be transportedis equal to or larger than a predetermined value, and wherein thetransport unit transports the medium to be transported to the mediumsupport unit side, when the terminal end is detected, and the length ofthe medium to be transported is less than the predetermined value.